TRC preparing residential development assistance measures

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) planning officers are working to collate a report containing extensive residential development assistance measures to assist the release of more housing to the market.

TRC Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the report, (including financial and community impacts), outlining potential assistance measures would be considered at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on June 14.

“Senior TRC planning officers have consulted with their state government counterparts and other development industry people to devise a range of measures and other policies that will be presented to the June meeting,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“Council is investigating additional measures to assist the release of new housing sites, as well as incentives to generate greater numbers of rental housing in the existing urban areas, to the property market.

“These initiatives will look at stormwater solutions to multiple dwellings or units and financial incentives to progress work on existing approved developments.

“In addition, the report will recommend processes that streamline applications in new or greenfield areas, particularly to aid development in Emerging Community Zoned land, plus a review of some development approval fees.

“These initiatives will assist in the provision of more rental accommodation across the Region, as well as making it easier for developers to provide new housing lots for owner occupiers in the short term, (especially given the demand for new owner occupier homes that has been driven by federal stimulus incentives).

“We acknowledge that housing supply and housing rental stress are key issues being experienced in our community, that have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic changes.

“These challenges are not unique to the Toowoomba Region and reflect challenges being experienced across Australia.”